Whispers of a Legend, Part One-Shadows of the Past by Carrie James Haynes Page A

glowing
smile. “He must not know how it is for you. He has given me all. I
will…”
    “You have done plenty, my little sister. If
you ever attempt such an action again,” Falco interrupted. “It was
Sareta herself that weakened Johannes’s shield around her. She
wanted Amicia to see her sheen.”
    “I wanted only for her to see it for a
moment!” Sareta exclaimed.
    “A moment was all it took,” Falco reprimanded
his youngest sister. “All know that you are Witheleghean. You have
to expect the Hallow Minions to be in wait for an opportunity.”
    “Can she not protect herself from the
Minions?” I asked in earnest.
    “Most definitely. She has put it off too long
as it is. Grandfather is setting aside time for Twiten to show
her,” Falco offered, glancing over at Gunilda. “And of course our
dear Gunilda.”
    “I’m to return?” Gunilda’s old tired face
beamed with the prospect.
    “It is what seems the best course of action
at the moment. At least for a time,” Twiten said. “My attention has
been redirected by King Edulf which includes ensuring Princess
Sareta’s safety. King Edulf feels it could mean that Asmeodai
making a move.”
    Sareta turned to me, her irritation of the
dark conversation clearly seen in her face. “Sister, I have been
wondering of what you’re wearing. I can’t sit by and let you sit at
the table in such.”
    Before I could blink my eyes, I sat in a
magnificent bejeweled gown, rose colored, soft against my skin. My
hands reached to my hair, twisted upward in fashion. I could feel
slippers, comfortable against my toes. I glanced over and found
Cono smiling at me, obvious he liked what he saw, but the moment
dissipated quickly for Twiten interceded.
    “Princess Sareta, I must protest. In all I
realize your happiness in finding your sister, but we aren’t at
court. She isn’t a lady in waiting. She is a Euchoun. She needs not
the luxury which surrounds you. To face the dangers that awaits
her, she can’t…”
    Immediately I saw the fear in my sister’s
eyes for me, I tightened my hold on her hand and lied, “I’m fine,
little sister. I have all I need. Truly, my happiness lies in
fulfilling my destiny so designed. I’m touched, thank you, but I
have no use for such a gown. Not here.”
    She waved her tiny hand over me and frowned.
“I don’t see the harm.”
    Neither did I, but in Twiten he had allowed
me to see the family kept from me. I pressed not.
    “Would it harm her to have slippers for her
feet?”
    I glanced up. Johannes spoke under his
breath. I had never heard Johannes speak to Twiten in that manner.
Twiten nodded and Sareta smiled brightly, lighting up the whole of
the room. A moment later I had slippers upon my feet.
    In that moment, though, a sensation swept
through me. I was not like my siblings. In an action of kindness,
pity, I had been humiliated. I had never remembered ever being as
embarrassed by my appearance. The joy surrounding me edged way to a
sudden feeling of self-pity I had never encompassed before.
    I looked up to find Cono’s eyes on me. Those
eyes didn’t seem to leave me all night. Did I disgust him, I
wondered. Was he telling himself if I had listened to him none of
this would have happened? I didn’t know. I sat back the rest of the
evening and listened, exchanging looks with Johannes. He held
within him the same questions as I. The talk had been to bring
Gunilda back for Sareta. Yet I stayed within my rags.
    That night, I lay in my room at the castle at
the far end away from everyone else. I could find no sleep. I rose
from my bed. I needed air. I left the castle without a word to
anyone.
     
    The trail back to the cottage was well worn,
but a long walk. I cared not. I needed the time. The sounds of the
Forest surrounded me. Sounds that now I found comfort in. Suddenly
over head a shadow appeared silhouette the ground beneath me from
the moonlight. I looked up when I climbed over a small rocky hill.
I glanced upward wondering who